United States Silver Star

Place North & Central America: United States of America
Accession Number REL25146.006
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Award
Physical description Bronze; Silver
Maker Unknown
Place made United States of America
Date made 1939-1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

United States Silver Star. A gilded five pointed star with the obverse centre, a wreath surrounding a silver star radiating towards the wreath. The reverse is plain but has at the top the inscription 'FOR/GALLANTRY IN ACTION'. The square suspension loop is fixed to the top of the star. The ribbon has a white/red/white centre with blue edges that has a central thin white stripe. A brooch bar is sewn to the reverse of the ribbon. A separate ribbon brooch is with this medal.

History / Summary

The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry not justifying the award of one of the next higher valour awards – the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross. The gallantry displayed must have taken place while in action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.